The Alice Saga, Nineteen Twenty-Three by Max C Norton

Synopsis:
The great farm depression of the 1920s brought a mass migration of bankrupt farmers from the Midwest and mountain states to California. In ''The Alice Saga,'' Max C. Norton artfully blends fact and fiction to portray the lives of these people, who came to the West so full of hope but found that California had problems of its own.
Having conducted extensive research on the time period, Norton derives his characters and their plight from memoirs, public documents, news accounts, and oral interviews. The gripping account which results follows the struggles of a handful of these unfortunate farmers. As they work to adjust to a new land and culture, California itself must adapt to a new era of farming. Thanks to irrigation and the Don Pedro Dam, the great ranch lands are giving way to dairy farms, vineyards, and orchards.
The experiences of John, Jennie, Bob, and Alice reflect those shared by many others during this chapter of American history. ''The Alice Saga'' brings the drama of these courageous people to life through a richly detailed and engrossing narrative.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading this book. There were a few parts where the extensive amounts of detail made it a slow read, but it was well worth pushing through it because the knowledge  was needed in other parts of the book. I really liked that the author combined true events with fiction so that you knew, in a general aspect, what happened during that time but were introduced to the world of the characters of the book. I absolutely fell in love with some of the characters and I can't wait to see what happens to them in the next part of the trilogy. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great historical fiction read :)



I received a complimentary copy of The Alice Saga, Nineteen Twenty-Three by Max C Norton as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.


You can purchase this book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Alice-Saga-Trilogy-Nineteen-Twenty-Three/dp/0805953671
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-alice-saga-max-c-norton/1004662950?ean=9780805953671
http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/

Random Giveaway Winner!!!

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately for you guys I already own the book, so I held a rafflecopter giveaway...


And the winner is....


Crystal Bozeman Clifton!!!


Congrats Crystal!!! Jennifer will get you your copy asap :)

The Acropolis by RK Ryals Blog Tour Review

I am honored to be today's stop in RK Ryals' "The Acropolis" Blog Tour. I had the amazing opportunity to be able to review this wonderful book and am VERY glad that I set time aside for it. So without further ado...

Synopsis:
"We have a new assignment for you, Mr. Reinhardt." 


These words are not comforting to me. At eighteen, I am a gargoyle who has been demoted because I broke the rules. Now I have a new mission, a new mark to protect. But I don't expect Emma Chase. I don't expect to question my own race. I don't expect to care for my own mark. And I am not prepared for what I find at The Acropolis. 


Warning: Due to language, this book is suggested for Young Adults 16+


My thoughts:
I absolutely LOVE this book. I have been stuck in a paranormal reading rut lately, and while I try to give each book it's own time, this book definitely made my heart sing! I try to look at each book with a new eye, even if it happens to be the 15th werewolf/vampire book in a row that I have read. This book was a refreshing "new" paranormal book. The author is so skilled in her writing that you get fully engrossed in the book. I literally had to set timers when I read it so that I wouldn't spend HOURS at a time reading it and forget about obligations. The characters are so easy to relate to that I found myself laughing, crying and being outright mad during some of the scenes! RK Ryals weaves such an amazing tale that you can't help but want to read everything else she has out!! I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good paranormal story :)



You can purchase this book here.


You can stalk the author here:
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I Am Wolf By Joann Buchanan Character Interview

For today's stop of Joann Buchanan's I Am Wolf Blog Tour, we are fortunate to have Jonah with us. Sit back, enjoy the interview, and please don't forget to check out the rest of the stops on the tour :)

Me: Thanks for stopping by today, Jonah. Let's get started :) How do you feel about your family, now that you’re an adult?

Jonah: That I'm lucky to have who I have in my life. 

Me: What do you want from life?

Jonah: I want to have a normal day, a normal life. I didn't ask for this gift, so I think it would be something like that. 

Me: If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?

Jonah: I would ask Alaynee to forgive me. There is a lot that has happened that you guys don't know about. That is the only wish I have for now, so I will save the other two for another day.

Me: Describe yourself to me.

Jonah: I'm a little over protective. I love the night and I can't wait to make Alaynee my bride. 

Me: What's the one thing you have always wanted to do but didn't? What would happen if you did do it?

Jonah: I want to start a band with the guys. I think it would be fun to travel the world and play music. I don't know what would happen but it would be a helluva ride. 

Me: What's the worst thing you've ever done? Why did you do it if it was 'bad'?

Jonah: I should have never bit Ralph. I wouldn't be in the situation I'm in now. I know what's going on now is going to come out sooner or later, but for now I would like to keep it to myself. 

Me: What is your most treasured possession?

Jonah: A necklace my mom gave me before she died.


Me: Which talent would you most like to have?

Jonah: I want to be able to play guitar like Alaynee. She rocks it! 

Me: Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

Jonah: After all that has happened lately I have to ask, is there even such a thing as fiction? I mean really, my life has been one fiction story after another. So maybe fiction doesn't exist. 

Me: What is your motto?

Jonah: Never bite a human.

Me: Yes, that is a great motto, considering! LOL. Thanks for joining us!

Jonah: No problem. Thanks for having me over.

Well that's all I have for today folks. Please remember to check Joann out and stop by the other stops on the tour :)

Amazon

B&N

Smashwords

Google

Powells

Goodreads

Facebook

Website

Random Giveaway!!!

I was lucky enough to win a giveaway a couple of days ago. Fortunately for you guys I already own the book ;) So that means...GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

If you haven't already, please take the time to go check out Jennifer Malone Wright and her books :)

Amazon
B&N
Smashwords
Website
Goodreads
Facebook
YouTube

RK Ryals The Acropolis Tour Interview

R.K. Ryals has stopped by my blog today for her blog tour for The Acropolis. Here is an interview with her :) Make sure you follow the rest of the tour with the links below!


About the Book: 
Give me the blurb for the book in 140 characters or less: 
"We have a new assignment for you, Mr. Reinhardt."
These words are not comforting to me. At eighteen, I am a gargoyle who has been demoted because I broke the rules. Now I have a new mission, a new mark to protect. But I don't expect Emma Chase. I don't expect to question my own race. I don't expect to care for my own mark. And I am not prepared for what I find at The Acropolis.
Warning: Due to language, this book is suggested for Young Adults 16+

 Do you have a favorite character?  Why is she your favorite?
Deidra Alexander. She's a lesser supporting character that really grew on me as I wrote this book. She's mischievous, loving, and fragile in a strong way, and I think people can relate to that.


What do you hope readers will get from your book?
When I write, I write flawed characters. They have issues. They are real. Despite the fact that they live in a world where the paranormal exists, they have to deal with real problems. I want readers to feel their pain, to feel their fears, emotions, and conflicts, but I want them to walk away knowing that, in the end, no matter the issues the characters have to face, they learn how to make their obstacles a part of their life rather than let the problems overcome them.



About the Author: 
What/Who inspires you? 
Life inspires me. My mother is the flame that keeps the inspiration going. She was an amazing woman who taught me that words not only create worlds, they create reasons to live in them.

Hardest aspect of writing? Best/Easiest? 
World building is the hardest because of the complexity but it is also one of the most interesting aspects. The easiest thing to write is the dialogue. It is also the funnest. I connect with my characters through dialogue.

Who is your writing hero? 
Writers of the classics: Edgar Allen Poe, Jane Austen, Tolstoy, Conrad, Dickens...you name it because the classic writers gave us the floor. They opened up different genres, revolutionized them, and then gave us something to play off of.



About the Future: 
What’s next for you? 
Currently, I am working on a book called Retribution: Book Three in the Redemption Series. I am also beginning work on the second book in the Acropolis series as well as working on two short stories for two different anthologies.

One outrageous goal for the future? 
To write at least four books this year, not including the ones already written.

Do you have any advice you'd like to share with other aspiring writers?
My mother gave me the best advice once during a time when I believed I wasn't as good as some of the other authors I've read in my life. She told me, "What you consider trash, I consider genius." Even after her death, I have not forgotten that. No matter what, there is a reader out there who enjoys what you write. Work hard, edit well, and keep your chin up.


Randomness: 
Sweet or salty?
Sweet

Beach, plains or mountains?
Mountains

Online, letters or in person?
In person

Ebook or print?
Both. lol. I read print books in the bath tub.

To find out more about R.K. Ryals check out her blog.

To find out more about The Acropolis Book Tour click here.

Click here to purchase The Acropolis on Amazon.

Willow Cross Inheritance Tour Character Interview

As we finish out Willow's Inheritance Tour I just want to let y'all know how GREAT of  a book Inheritance is. This is one of those books that you just can't put down and then when you do, you end up thinking about it so much that you literally have dreams where YOU are a character acting out the amazing fight scenes. Inheritance was one of my top 10 books for 2011 and I'm pretty sure when Legacy comes out it will be one of my top 10 for 2012. Willow is an amazing writer and if you haven't taken the time to get to know her writing you have been missing out! She has 3 FREE books after all ;) But enough of my ramblings...Let's get on to Pete's Interview :)

Me: Hello Pete :) Thanks for taking the time to sit down with me today. I just have a few questions to ask of you and then you can get on with protecting Sarah.

Pete: Thanks for having me. Let's get this started so I can get back to doing what I do.

Me: How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change? 

Pete: I feel pretty good about life right now. There are problems, but everyone has problems. We’re finally doing something and making a difference in the world.

Me: What's the most important thing in your life? What do you value most? 

Pete: Family and friends. 

Me: How do you feel about your family, now that you’re an adult? 

Pete: I guess it depends on which part of the family you’re talking about. The family that raised me has some serious issues. I still love them, but I wouldn’t go back to the way it was before. 

Me: What are you most afraid of? 

Pete: That the sum total of my life will amount to a big fat nothing. I want to have meant something to the world. I want a purpose. 

Me: If you could be an animal, what would it be? 

Pete: LOL I enjoy being a wolf. If I had the choice, I’d probably be the wolf more often than I’d choose to be human.

Me: What do you wish your special talent was? 

Pete: I wish I was good at talking to people. If I had charisma I could get my points across easier.

Me: Describe your ideal mate. 

Pete: Sarah. She’s everything I could possibly desire in a mate. She’s kind, empathetic, and a strong leader (even though she doesn’t realize it.) And she’s smart. Really smart! 

Me: How do you fall in love? At first sight? Over a long period? 

Pete: I’d never fallen in love before I met Sarah. She’s my one and only, so far. I guess it happened pretty fast. Not quite love at first sight, but close. LOL

Me: What really moves you, or touches you to the soul? 

Pete: Music, good books, lots of things really. And nature. I love just sitting in the woods all by myself taking in nature and it’s perfect order.

Me: When you walk into a room, what do you notice first? Second? 

Pete: How many people are there. Second would probably be where the drinks are so I can deal with the people. 

Me: When you walk into a room, what do you expect people to notice about you? 

Pete: I’d rather they didn’t notice me.

Me: What three things would you take to a Desert Island? 

Pete: Beer, a tent, sunblock. I know it sounds lame, but really I’m a decent hunter, so it would be enough.

Me: What is your motto? 

Pete: Hang in there. The first 100 years are the hardest.

Me: LOL Thanks for joining us. Have a great weekend!

Pete: No problem. You too.

Well that's all I have for today folks. Willow, thanks for letting Pete out of his cage for the morning ;) It was a blast having him here! We will definitely have to have more of your characters over!!

You can purchase Willow's books here:

Amazon

B&N

Smashwords

iTunes

Kobo

You can stalk Willow here:

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Her Website

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Joann H. Buchanan I Am Wolf Tour Guest Post

Joann Buchanan has stopped by the blog today for her tour of I Am Wolf! She's done an interesting guest post and shared her links. Enjoy the read and be sure to follow her via her links and on the rest of the tour! Each new stop will be posted on her Facebook page every day.

Writers, as a group we are neurotic at best. We always ask ourselves why one book is doing better than another. We seem to become obsessed with numbers out of the blue and without a doubt the notebook we carry around always looks like it has been put through the wash and dried in the sun. We watch the world and see characters in our books. We see traits, like the way a person walks or talks as part of a character we create. For the most part, we are observers of the most basic human things that make us human. No matter the genre, we are without a doubt the neurotic observers of life.

I live on one of the only streets that goes straight through the town. Five blocks down there is a set of railroad tracks. Just next to the tracks stands an old dilapidated building that at one time was used for cattle. Time has done what it does to all things of the world, it has eaten it. Not all at once mind you, but little by little time has had a scrumptious meal of metal and wood. What I imagine was at one time, a beautiful building, has now become a cat refuge. The building is full of rusted holes, broken glass and yes, time even ate the smell of the cattle and replaced it with that pungent smell from all the cats that now call it home.

Every day, a woman named Mrs. Carrigan drives over to the cat refuge in her new green Buick and parks in front of the building. She opens the door to step out. First, all a person can see is her puffed out silver hair that stands taller than my hand. Dear God I thought the 80's were over, but they live on in Mrs. Carrigan. She walks to the back of the car and opens the trunk. From there she pulls out bags upon bags of food, treats and other cat friendly things.

After a few days of watching her feed the cats, I noticed that she always wears a jean jacket. This jacket is decked out in rhinestones that say, "Cat Lover" followed by a bit of bling strategically placed on the jacket. Upon further observation, I see her license plate says the same thing.

As a writer, I can't help but think, "Damn I am so going to use her in a story some time," and I did. We are neurotic in all we see and do. We can't help ourselves but write what we see and yes write what we don't see. We can't help but take characters in our lives and form a story around them. As writers we are the shadows between the pages. We are the monster hiding in the mist and we are the love that soars to new heights. We live in worlds that don't exist . . . and we love it.

The observation is the key to our life blood. It is what makes those characters we love and hate. The characters we create are all around us. They live and breathe as surly as you and I. So when I say writers are neurotic, I mean we can't help ourselves when it comes to seeing the world the way we do. Hell you might want to be careful around a writer--or you may end up the pimple faced kid in a book who is slaughtered, but not without making you piss yourself first. What can I say, I'm a writer.

Ways to contact Joann:

http://theeclecticartistcave.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/JoannHBuchanan

https://twitter.com/#!/JoannHBuchanan

The Visitor's Room by E.H. James

Synopsis:
If Amy thought this day on the psych ward would be just like any other she would be sadly mistaken.

For although everything seemed normal, well as normal as a place like that could be, there was something that was not quite right. That she couldn’t put her finger on it only made it all the more perplexing.

But the real question was, should you go asking questions you aren’t prepared to hear the answer to?

My thoughts:
This short story is a GREAT read! I had no idea what was really going on until about halfway through it, but the ending just blew me away! Totally unexpected! I can't wait to see what the author comes out with next :) I recommend this book to everyone! It's a really short story that anyone will enjoy :)

You can purchase this book here:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Visitors-Room-ebook/dp/B007NRVOBM
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/145010
http://www.musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=37

You can find out more about the author here:
http://ehjames.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-cover-art-for-visitors-room-by-e.html
https://www.facebook.com/EHJamesFanPage

Beyond the Sea by Emily Goodwin

Synopsis:
After the brutal and mysterious murder of her sister, Melia is forced to leave her life as and merrow and live on land, pretending to be human. Feeling very much like a fish out of water, Melia struggles to fit in and to accept that the Pacific Ocean she loves so much may never again be her home.

Melia is unable to hide her fins from outsider Jamie Forester, who possess the gift to see into the Otherworld. Jamie—and everyone she knows—views her ability as a curse, isolating her from the rest of society. Melia sees the curse as a gift…and a way to find out what really happened to her sister.

Eighteen year old Peter Anderson thinks college is the most extraordinary thing that will ever happen to him, until he meets Melia. He is immediately bewitched by her beauty and spirit, sensing but not seeing that there is more to her than meets the eye.

Caught up in Peter’s affection and human affairs, Melia is too distracted to notice the darklings surfacing from the depths of the ocean. It isn’t until a body is found that Melia realizes parts of her old life have come back—with a vengeance.

If Melia stays with the humans she has grown to love, danger will certainly find them. But going back to the sea with a killer still on the loose isn’t a choice she’s ready to make. Peter and Jamie are quick to defend Melia, willing to risk life and limb to keep their friend safe. But nothing can prepare them for the truth they learn about merrows and all of the darkness that lies beyond the sea.


My thoughts:
I was fortunate to be able to read an ARC of this book. It was the first book that I have read by the author and I must say that I admire her writing style. I really fell in love with the characters in this book. It's been awhile since I read a good mermaid story and this was just the one to get me back in the genre! There were several "characters" that I hadn't had the experience of reading about before so I had to do a bit of side research, but that is just my curious nature, so I don't think it would detract from the reading otherwise. The story line was great, a bit rushed in parts, but fast and easy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a great mermaid tale and wants to read about some more of the underwater creatures :)

You can purchase this book here:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Sea-Series-ebook/dp/B007PWG0IM
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/147194
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1109803869?ean=2940014174336

You can find out more about the author here:
http://emily-goodwin.blogspot.com/2012/03/beyond-sea.html
https://www.facebook.com/emilykgoodwin
https://plus.google.com/109211060601401328971/posts

Forever by Gillian Joy

Synopsis:
Hannah’s life has never been easy, despite her strong willed determination and her extra “gifts”, it's still always been hard work keeping an entire world full of the supernatural under control, but having achieved a small semblance of control over most of the custas, Hannah was hoping to be able to slip back into her life of normalcy. Wishful thinking when you're the guardian of all supernatural.
With all the issues she’d had to endure in her past, she'd never had to worry about the mermaids before, so why would they choose now to suddenly start haunting her dreams and her life. Then there are the fairies to contend with as well, just when she manages to get one aspect of the crudelitas under control, the others decide it’s time to start causing problems.
All Hannah wants is some quiet family time and a chance to reflect on her feelings for Gabriel but instead she's thrown back into the thick of the supernatural world, and this time it threatens to invade the quiet family life she has worked so hard to establish. There's no running away this time, she has to front the challenges head on, but forever can be a long time if you can't be with the one you love.

My thoughts:
After reading Guardian, the first book in the trilogy, I just HAD to read Forever. I always go into the second book a little leery because sometimes stories are just better left at one book only. Boy does this book contradict my thoughts! It's hard for me to tell you what I like without spoilers so I'm just going to say that Forever just MIGHT be better than Guardian. Maybe ;)
Feisty Hannah is on yet another round of adventures with more of the supernaturals and oh my goodness! This fast paced story will keep you on your toes! There are so many things that happen that I never saw coming! This page-turner is great for everyone who likes delving into the supernatural world...in a not so conventional way :)

You can purchase the book here:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/141121
http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Guardian-ebook/dp/B007KNKV3Q

You can find out more about the author here:
https://www.facebook.com/Guardiannovel
http://www.gillianjoy.com/forever-book-2.html

Guardian by Gillian Joy

Synopsis:
Headstrong and determined, Hannah always knew that she would become the Guardian. She was the keeper and the protector of all supernatural beings. What she didn't expect was that it would mean she would have to endure the agonising death of her mother first hand as their supernatural connection brings her to her knees, or that it would mean that she could never be with the man she loved. 
Blond haired, blue eyed Gabriel was her handsome childhood friend, but would circumstances prevent her from ever being able to explore her true feelings for him? 
Jesse, the dark alluring but incorrigible vampire would give anything to be with her, but as the guardian Hannah is forbidden to fall in love with the supernatural. 
With her life in turmoil over her conflicting emotions about Gabriel and Jesse and her frustration at being unable to exact revenge for her mother’s horrific death, Hannah flees her life in an attempt to start over. But can we ever really escape from ourselves? 
There is no escaping destiny no matter how hard she might try and Hannah must learn to reconcile her commitment to her family with her responsibility as the Guardian and her duty to her heart.


My thoughts:
The second I saw this cover I just KNEW that I had to read this series. Boy was that a great decision! The author has so skillfully developed these characters that you are just crazy if you don't fall in love with at least one of them! My favorite by far is Hannah. She is so feisty that you want to keep reading the book just to see what she comes up with next! I really hope that things develop more between her and one of the other characters :) Overall this book was great because you had all of the normal supernaturals roaming around, but didn't have the predictable Were/Vamp fighting throughout the entire book like most series. I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone. There is fun filled craziness for the action lovers and a somewhat love filled story for the romance lovers :) 


You can buy this book here:
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/gillian-joy/guardian/_/R-400000000000000516276
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/88177
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guardian-gillian-joy/1105860186
http://www.amazon.com/Guardian-The-guardian-ebook/dp/B005TKPEH0


You can find out more about the author here:
https://www.facebook.com/Guardiannovel
http://www.gillianjoy.com/guardian.html

The Forever Girl Giveaway Winner!!!

I won "The Forever Girl" by Rebecca Hamilton in a giveaway. Unfortunately for me, I already owned the ebook. So I passed it on to... Tessa Farrell!!! Congrats, Tessa!!! Rebecca will be emailing you with the ebook :)

Creatura ebook Giveaway Winner!!!

The Nely Cab Creatura giveaway ended last night! 


Thank you to everyone who entered :) 


Now...drum roll, please...


The Winner is... Selena Thor!!!


Congrats, Selena!! Nely will be emailing you with your prize :)